Countdown to Vence!

Only 12 more days until I leave for France.  I'm getting excited. The weather should be better than what we generally experience in January and February here on the west coast so I am looking forward to that!  Focusing on Xmas at this time and spending as much time with family as possible.

We felt the earth move!

Well our trip has come to an end.  We finished our trip with a final day at the beach(s) and then headed home from Bangkok.  Early morning with a stop over in Tokyo.  While we were waiting at the gate for our last flight of our journey we heard a rumbling and then the building started to shake.  Felt like a freight train coming through.  EARTHQUAKE!

 I looked at Marlene and she looked at me and its like what now?  After a few minutes which felt like an hour it stopped.  The airport reported no damage and our flight was delayed by about a half hour.  Couldn't wait to get on that plane.  Sue met me at YVR airport which was wonderful.  I love travelling but getting home is always the best part!  Stay tuned for more adventures as I will continue my blog in January when I depart for France!

Beaches, beaches, beaches!

Today Kathy arranged for her driver to take us up the west coast of Phuket Island so that we could see some of the other beaches.  There were so many and not busy at all.  We ended the day on the northern part of the island (close to the airport) where Kathy is staying for a few more nights before heading home.  We had a great dinner on the beach, sipping wine and watching fireworks set off on behalf of the King's birthday.  Heading back to Bangkok tomorrow in preparation to heading home.  Sigh!

Dinner at Patong Beach

Kathy, Marlene and I had a wonderful dinner at a little restaurant overlooking Patong Beach.  Gorgeous sunset!  Great friends, great food, great beer!  What more could I want?

Patong Beach, Phuket

Here we are on Phuket.  I never figured that this is like another Waikiki!  I thought the town of Phuket would be a sleepy little village with pristine beaches surrounding it.  NOT!  It's a bustling place with lots of people.  This is "Happy Street" which is like a cross between Vegas and New Orleans at Mardi Gra.

Our resort is amazing with 3 large pools.  We met up with Kathy who is showing us around as if she's lived here forever.  Going up island tomorrow to some quieter beaches.  We'll leave Ko Phi Phi to next time as there is too much to see and too little time.

Ko Samui

Well we have arrived in Ko Samui and we can actually sleep in and do whatever rather than have something planned for the day.  Oh heaven!  The rainy season is still in effect here but it is very warm.  The rain comes and goes but it is beautiful.  Today we will start exploring after a couple of hours on the beach.  Wonderful breakfast at the hotel which is where I took this picture.  That is the view from our table through an open air window.  Sigh!

The Water Festival

How lucky we are to be in Chiang Mai for the full moon water festival.  After a wonderful day with the elephants we head down to the river by tuk tuk to put our arrangement of flowers, incense and sparkler in the river.  This symbolizes sending away any bad spirits or bad omens that you may have accumulated.  When we arrive at the river the sky is dotted with many lanterns that people light and send up and the river is alive with floral decorations similar to the one that we set adrift.  Fire works are being set off everywhere.  We visit the night market and then set off to walk into the Old Town surrounded by the old wall originally constructed in the 13th century.  After enjoying a cold beer on a patio we flag down a tuk tuk and head back to our hotel.  What a day!  Off to Ko Samui tomorrow.

Elephant Sanctuary

We headed off to the Elephant Nature Park.  We chose this place because we had been told that they rescue elephants and provide a safe place for them to live.  While enroute to the park we watched a video in the van that explained what to expect.  We fed these wonderful animals and after a wonderful lunch helped to bathe them in the river.  This was an amazing experience however came to a sudden close when the skies opened up and we had to run for cover.  We were totally soaked but what a wonderful day.

Cooking class

Marlene and I took part in a cooking class.  First we went to the market to shop for the ingredients.  This market was extremely clean.  The produce is so fresh.  Lots of herbs are sold together depending on the dish you are making.  We learned to make Pad Thai, spring rolls, two different kinds of soup and a couple of curry dishes.  So much food that we couldn't finish it.  Took some back to the hotel for tomorrow night's dinner.

Chiang Mai

Today we head to Chiang Mai.  On the way we visit the White Temple.  This is the most bizarre place.  The fellow who is building it is very wealthy and wanted to create something that tourists would come to. Not exactly your typical temple.  It looks like Winter Wonderland crossed with an amusement park!

Normally it's a challenge finding a clean toilet but not at this place!  Which way do we go?

Cheap taxi!

Marlene and I decided to go to dinner and then the night market in Chiang Rai.  We went to a great restaurant called Cabbages and Condoms as recommended by the fellow at our hotel.  By eating there you are supporting an organization that is working on family planning.

We then headed off to the night market for a little retail therapy.   Getting home we hailed a tuk tuk!

The Golden Triangle

Today we head out of Chiang Rai towards the Golden Triangle.  We stop along the way where these two young ladies were selling wine.  After sampling several different kinds which consisted of Mulberry, Liche, Strawberry and Black Ginger we decide on Strawberry.  It's only 10% alcohol but it's 100 baht which is only $3.  Great for tonight before dinner!

We then continue to Mae Sai which is the town by the Golden Triangle.  This is where the three countries of Burma (Myramar), Laos and Thailand all meet.  In the past this has been a violent area due to drug trade in opium.  Today things are a little calmer.  Here we are standing on the border between Thailand and Burma.

Along the way we stop at a temple that is known for the many monkeys that frequent this area.  This young man offered to be our "security" and keep the monkeys at bay with his stick.  He was very efficient.  Even had a name badge!  Quite the entrepreneur!

H

Chiang Rai Thailand

We're in Thailand now.  Went for a cruise on the Mae Kok River which is one of many tributaries of the Mae Khong River.  Visited another hill tribe and then back to the hotel for some pool time.  It's lovely here.  A bit cooler and the air is so much better than Bangkok.

Leaving Bangkok

Well who do you think we met at the airport on our way to Thailand?

Lions & Tigers & Bears?

Well tigers at any rate and there were lots of them at the Tiger Temple.  Approx. 2 hrs. out of Bangkok you find the temple where the monks are looking after orphaned tigers.  These are beautiful animals and to actually touch them and walk with them was amazing!

Busy Bangkok!

On Wednesday we left Luang Prabang and arrived in Bangkok, Thailand.  Such a shock going from small town back to big city.  Bangkok is huge!  It's hot, humid and choked with traffic.  It's a shopper's paradise but as most of you know I am not a shopper.  We went to Siam Square which is a huge shopping district and were quickly overwhelmed. Went to buy a couple of beers at the grocery and could not purchase between 2 pm and 5 pm!  Learned that this was an attempt to control drinking among the youth!  It was only 4:30 so went back beer less.  Toured the Grand Palace and saw the Emerald Budha which you are not allowed to phot so this one will have to do.


Friday went to the Tiger Temple and the River Kwai museum and cemetery. The tigers were amazing.  Actually got to walk with one on a leash and had our pictures taken.  It was an awesome experience.  Going to Thailand next.

Back in time for lunch

Today our guide took us to visit several hill tribes.  We travelled approx. an hour up into the mountain to arrive at a village tucked away.  This is like being in another world, another time.  They just recently got electricity so now have a wee bit of refrigeration and this is a great luxury.  The men were just arriving back to the village after gathering a vegetable all morning that resembles Bok Choy.  This will be taken down to the city by motorbike and sold.  We are fortunate in that no other tourists come here.  There is no one trying to sell you things and the children aren't begging.  It's so refreshing.  Our guide is from the Black Thai group and is very knowledgable on the tribes and can
communicate with them.
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He prepares our lunch over an open fire in the "kitchen".  It consists of sticky rice and steamed vegetables.  He adds garlic and some spices and it's quite tasty.  He was going to kill a chicken to add to the meal but we assured him we didn't need the meat and would spare the life of the chicken.  He also shared that he had a younger sister who died when she was seven from malaria because it took too long to get her to the hospital.  The trip took a whole day and she died enroute.  The little girls in this picture were thoroughly entertained by watching videos of my grandson on my I Phone!

Early morning Monks

This morning we hear the drum calling the monks to prayer at 4 am.  We get up at 6 am to watch the monks leave their prayer and meditation to ask for alms down the Main Street.  There are many monks and sticky rice is the main food that is given.  Marlene and I give them a couple of apples.  Can't believe how many people are out to watch this process.  Many of these monks have no family or their family is so poor they can't care for them.

Rice wine, caves and waterfalls!

I think if I see another temple I will scream. Our tour guide is very sweet but a little slow.  Any slower and we'll be going backwards.  He loves to tell us stories based on Buddhism but they go on and on and on.....We went on a boat up the Mekong to a village that produces rice wine.  Pretty strong hooch and since it was only 10 am I wasn't going to be trying any of that.

Then we carry on to a cave where there are thousands of Buddhas.  They were from the 6th century.

Back to town for lunch and then out to this most amazing waterfall.  Just gorgeous!

Luang Prabang...ahhh!

This town is lovely.  First time we have had comfortable weather.  It is cooler with lower humidity.  Had a long drive through the mountains from Plain of Jars to Luang Prabang.  Beautiful scenery and lots of hill tribe people on the way!

Off to Luang Prabang

We had a short flight to view the Plain of Jars.  Wasn't sure what to expect here but was advised that this is something you don't want to miss.  They were right.  It's a mystery as why these stone jars litter this area.  There have been traces of human bones so there is speculation that this was some sort of cemetery.  My feeling is that it dates back to the Stone Age.  Of all these jars there is only one with a carving of a stick figure on the side.  Feels like another Stone Henge!

  Now we're off to Luang Prabang.

The big one in Siem Reap

Today is my birthday. Wow! The big 60 but I sure don't feel it.  Started off the day with a trip to a local market.  This is one that the local people go to and sells everything!  They thought we were a bit of an oddity as tourists don't frequent this market.  That's what I really liked about our guide.  He took us to some different things.  Had fun showing pictures of Landon to the women there.
After that we went to a silk farm.  Thought I had done this several times before but this was really good.  Really interesting.

After that it was spa time!  Full Kmer body massage, foot massage and then a facial!  Each one took 60 mins. so 3 hrs. later I emerge.  Had to catch a tuk tuk back to the hotel as I felt very relaxed! Had my last swim in the pool at our hotel and then off to dinner we went.  Decided to go to the 'tried and true' so started with a frozen marguerita and nachos at Viva Mexico

and then pizza at Il Forno the Italian restaurant that we love.  Had an appetizer of prawn and scallop done in the most amazing sauce.  Great red wine (2 glasses tonight) and then lemon cello on the house.  What a day!  I'll remember this birthday for a long time. I wonder what 70 will bring?????

Floating Village

Today we travelled a short distance to Tonle Lake where there is a floating village.  These people are so poor it's unbelievable.  I took several pictures with my camera but forgot to take some with my I Phone so that I could post some.  We had so many parents come up to our boat with children about 3 years old to pose with a snake around their shoulder so that we would take a picture and give them a dollar.  There was one child that wasn't even two but was busy baling water from her mother's boat.  There was a school that we visited where we learned there are 300 children and 5 teachers.  The only way they get the children to attend is to feed them as many are orphans.  Our driver told us that if we wanted to help we could purchase a bag of rice for $25 and give it to the school.  With everything being so corrupt in a lot of areas this was a way of giving something directly to the children.  So many victims of land mines as well.  Amputees are frequent.

When we returned to town we went to the Siem Reap museum which was amazing.  2-1/2 hrs. later we emerge and it's pouring!  Short lived though and then a short ride in a tuk tuk and we're back at the hotel.  Decided on Italian food tonight.  Wonderful food.  
The manager is Italian but from New Zealand.  Very knowledgable.  Had Passion Creme Brule for desert and Lemon Cello on the house.  Booked massage for tomorrow, can't wait!  Perhaps we'll let the fishes feast on our toes first!